Unsure

[Maighen]

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Lately my CAG Frankie has been leaning down....puffing up and doing a little growl while on top of his cage. He doesn't try to get away from me anymore....but I wonder does he want to be touched? Is that what he is asking for when he leans down? I want to try and it feels like he would like me to but I am afraid of getting bit. He is hard to read sometimes because he still does a little type growl

[GlassOnion]

Well.. only one way to find out!

[Maighen]

True....he is still a little unsure of my hand though. He keeps leaning down but when I start to bring my hand up he steps away a little. Then he comes right back and leans down again. Progress I think!

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Scooter has a slightly growl-y sound that is actually more like a purr. I think it probably takes experience with a specific bird to really know the difference. If he's tucking his head in and bending down like he might rest his beak on the cage, and maybe scratching his head with his foot, it may be an invitation to touch, but if he's sort of snaking his neck down and out and his feathers are either really tightly slicked or pinecone-fluffed it is more likely to be a warning. You can also look at his eyes and if they are pinning, be a bit more cautious.

I'm no expert with greys, so I'm basing this on our guys and what I've read. YMMV.

[Maighen]

Thank you! I never did get as far as to touch him because when he sees my hand....he moves away and growls louder. So now when he does this....I walk away from him and he whistles at me a nice little whistle. Maybe he is being affectionate but still unsure. Frankie has also said his first word He now says "what" he will whistle and when you look at him he will stop and a few seconds later if you are still looking at him he will say "what" lol He is really a character!!!!

[Nevermore]

I've been thinking of adopting an African Grey for awhile now...and some reading I did mentioned growling. Apparently it is some kind of a warning. Or a threat. I'm pretty sure you'll get bit if you try to push things.


Try this forum for more help; http://www.africangreyforum.com/forum/f27/

[patdbunny]

yeah, they growl as a warning. The growl's softer if they're just unsure and might not bite you.

My personal feeling is - If you are apprehensive and afraid to get bitten you WILL get bitten. I think they can smell/sense the fear coming out of your pores. Taming a bird - you just have to kinda go to your happy place and be willing to take a bite.